Renovating with Tenants in Place

Renovating a rental property will always be easier during a vacancy, but sometimes waiting for a vacancy isn’t an option. While renovating with the tenants in place can be done, it can also prove to be very challenging and can be a huge inconvenience to your tenants. In this article, we will cover some great tips to keep your renovations tenant-friendly.

Communicate

Since your tenants will be the ones most inconvenienced by the project, communication is key. A great landlord will be transparent and communicate throughout every step. This means telling your tenants who will be doing the work, what they are doing, and when they will be doing it. If delays occur, be honest and let your tenant know as early as you can. It’s also important to keep in mind that communication is a 2-way street, so be available to listen to your tenants’ concerns. You wouldn’t want to ignore safety or security concerns from the tenant who is around while the work is getting done.

Don’t Seek Input

While communication is important, it is just as important that you don’t seek input from your tenants. Tenants can get excited about renovations, which is great news when thinking about how flexible they might be, but can also be a bad thing if they try to become too involved. A tenant may start making requests or giving input without your best interest in mind. While the intention may be good, it is important to keep in mind that this is an income property, and your return on investment should be your main focus.

Choose a Great General Contractor

A great general contractor will have experience working with tenants in place and will know exactly what to expect. You wouldn’t want your contractor looking to your tenant to approve jobs or sign off on something on your behalf.